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Last Updated on July 12, 2023 by Lauren Melnick
How’s lockdown treating you Joburg?
If you’re anything like me, you’re itching to get outside and do SOMETHING.
But unlike our mates in Cape Town, we aren’t as blessed in the natural beauty department. Instead of towering mountain ranges, pristine beaches and a rugged coastline – we have the great flat wilderness of the veld.
Luckily, there are a few hiking trails in Johannesburg that are worth checking out. Plus, I’ve also thrown in a few around Magaliesberg for those who don’t mind a longer drive.
Psst…Want more South Africa and hiking inspiration? Check out these other posts:
- Where to Find Delicious Vegan Food in Johannesburg
- 15+ Best Hikes in South Africa With Mind-Blowing Views
- 10+ Spectacular Multi-Day Hiking Trails In The Western Cape
- The Best Drakensberg Hikes That’ll Take Your Breath Away
- Hiking the Mnweni Circuit: A Spectacular 3-Day Drakensberg Hike
- The Most Unique Places to Stay Near Johannesburg
Table of Contents
- Best Hiking Trails in Johannesburg
- Hennops River Hiking Trail in Magaliesberg
- Africaland in Hartbeespoort
- Shelter Rock in Magaliesberg
- Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
- Top Places to Stay Near Johannesburg, South Africa
- Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
- Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
- Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in Heidelberg
- Uitkyk in Hartebeespoort
- Rustig Nature Reserve in Magaliesberg
- Day Hiking Essentials for Johannesburg, South Africa
Best Hiking Trails in Johannesburg
Hennops River Hiking Trail in Magaliesberg
Okay, let’s kick things off with the most popular hiking trails near Johannesburg – Hennops River.
It’s a 45-minute drive from the City of Gold, but well worth it if the only nature you’ve seen are your house plants.
Get your thighs burning and heart rates up by tackling one of the three circular routes:
- The 2.5km Dassie walk
- The 6.1km Zebra Route
- Or sweat it out with the challenging 11.3 km Krokodilberg Route
One of the coolest things about Hennops is that all the trails begin by crossing the Hennops River either via an old-fashioned cable car or a suspension bridge.
Don’t forget your camera! You’ll want to snap some pictures with the rolling Magaliesberg mountains in the background!
Dog-friendly hiking trails: No
Entrance Fee: R80 per adult
Africaland in Hartbeespoort
Africaland is lesser-known hiking spot around Johannesburg.
Technically, it’s in the North-West Province, but you’re allowed to drive there under the current lockdown restrictions.
You can conquer three hiking trails (3.5km, 6.8km and 9km) that wind around the natural landscapes of the Pelindaba Wilderness. Along the way, you’ll see the skyline of Sandton in the distance and wander past the Magaliesberg mountain range.
If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Impala, Kudu, Nyala, Eland and Duiker!
Not in the mood for hiking?
Africaland also offers rock climbing, abseiling, and mountain biking!
Dog-friendly hiking trails: Yes
Entrance Fee: R70.00 per adult
Good to Know: You can’t start hikes after 11 am
Shelter Rock in Magaliesberg
A lot of people (myself included) are obsessed with the Shelter Rock hiking trail in Magaliesberg.
It’s one of the most scenic hikes around Johannesburg that will take you past the ruins of an Iron Age Village, ancient footpaths created by elephants and sweeping views of the Magaliesberg mountains.
If you summit the 8km hike on a clear day, you can see all the way to the hills surrounding Sun City, Hartebeestpoort Dam, Sandton and the West Rand!
Dog-friendly hiking trails: Yes (R40.00)
Entrance Fee: R100.00 per adult
Good to Know: You can’t start hiking after 11 am, and you need to book in advance
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
WARNING: Klipsrivier does have a reputation for not being safe. Please be careful. Leave your valuables at home and hike in a big group.
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is located 10km from Johannesburg’s city centre.
Covering 600 hectares, it’s home to zebra, blesbok and over 230 species of birds. If you’re looking for a thigh burner, hike the circular 8km Dassie Trail to the top of a hill or take the flatter Bloubos Trail that follows the river.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: No
Entrance Fee: Free
Good to Know: The reserve is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset
Top Places to Stay Near Johannesburg, South Africa
- Rosemary Hill A-Frame Cabins
- Farmhouse 58
- Leadwood Safari Camp
- Sima Kade Retreat
Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
WARNING: Melville Koppies does have a reputation for not being safe. It’s advised to only hike with a guide and to leave your valuables at home.
Calling all history buffs searching for hiking spots in Johannesburg!
Melville Koppies is the last remnant of Johannesburg’s ridges (before the discovery of gold) and has geology that dates back a whopping three billion years.
The nature reserve is divided into three areas:
- Melville Koppies Central: Access is controlled and is only for organised hikes and tours.
- Melville Koppies East: This section is open to the public daily and socialised dogs are welcome.
- Melville Koppies West: It’s open daily, but advised to only visit with a guide.
The best way to explore Melville Koppies is with one of the Sunday-morning hikes. You can opt for the easy 4km walk or tackle the challenging 10km hike.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: Yes
Entrance Fee: R80.00 per adult
Good to Know: The reserve is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
As a Joburger, my memories of Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens involve me swimming underneath the waterfall (before it became banned) and squinting into the sky trying to spot the Verreaux’s eagles that nest above the falls.
It’s one of my favourite places in Johannesburg and hands down the prettiest!
(It does a good job of giving Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town a run for its money).
But besides the epic waterfall, there are a few walking trails that wind through the gardens. The longest hike takes you to the top of the Witpoortjie Waterfall!
Dog-friendly hiking trails: No
Entrance Fee: R60.00 per adult
Good to Know: Open 7-days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Read More: 15+ Wonderous Waterfalls in South Africa That Will Make Your Jaw Drop
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in Heidelberg
Have you ever heard of the Vredefort Dome? It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s situated inside the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve.
The Vredefort crater is the largest verified impact crater on Earth!
If that’s not enough to get you in your car and justify the 35-minute drive from Johannesburg, there are three hiking trails and an extensive amount of flora and fauna.
For beginners, there’s the easy 4km Cheetah trail, but if you want something more challenging tackle the 10 or 17km hikes.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: No
Entrance Fee: R60.00 per adult
Good to Know: There is a wheelchair friendly hiking route!
Uitkyk in Hartebeespoort
The Uitkyk trail is not for the faint of heart.
It’s a technical, challenging and steep 8.5km hiking trail in Johannesburg with epic views of Hartbeespoort Dam.
You’ll need at least five hours to complete the route, and bookings are ESSENTIAL.
But it’s 100% worth it as it’s one of the few areas where the public can access the Magaliesberg mountain range.
BONUS! The trail winds through the Magaliesberg Biosphere which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a one-million-year track record of human history.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: No
Entrance Fee: R85.00 per adult
Good to Know: You need a group of 20 people to get a permit. The trail is not for beginners.
Rustig Nature Reserve in Magaliesberg
Located 1hr 30 minutes from Johannesburg, along the southern slopes of Magaliesberg, Rustig has three day hiking trails to suit all levels.
Olivenhout Hiking Trail: Looking for easy hiking trails in Gauteng? Olivenhout is only 3km and will take around 2-hours to complete. There is a steep section, but your glutes will thank you later. Hikers need to start the trail before 12 pm.
Witstinkhout Hiking Trail: If you want something more challenging, Witsinkhout is the perfect route. It’s 5km and will take you around 3-hour to complete. Hikers need to start before 11 am.
Karee Hiking Trail: Karee is the most gruelling hike at Rustig. It’s a 13km hiking trail and is for advanced hikers. There’s a lot of uphill here – you’ve been warned! But the views are worth the burn. Hikers have to start before 9 am, and it should take you between 5 to 6 hours to complete.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: No
Entrance Fee: R65.00 – R75.00 per adult
Good to Know: Booking is essential (space is limited), and you need to be off the property by 5 pm on Saturdays and 4 pm on Sundays
Day Hiking Essentials for Johannesburg, South Africa
Before you go hiking in Johannesburg and the surrounds, there are a few things to be aware of, Johannesburg is hot and sunny, and you need to be prepared because heat and sunstroke are no joke!
Packing these hiking essentials will help keep you safe, whether you’re doing a short 3km trail or a strenuous 10km hike.
- Hiking Backpack: Invest in a quality backpack for hiking trips. For these trails in Johannesburg, look for something lightweight, durable, and functional. The best part? You can use your daypack for the gym or a carry-on for flights.
- Good Pair of Hiking Shoes:I like hiking intrail runnersfor day hikes as they’re more light-weight than heavy-duty hiking boots.
- Pack LOTS of Water:Most of the hikes in Johannesburg won’t have a place for you to fill up your water bottle. Pack at least three litres of water especially for longer trails. I likeHydro Flasksbecause it keeps your water ice-cold.
- Warm Jacket: If you’re hiking in Johannesburg during the winter, the air is cold and the wind is icy. Pack a light-weightjacket– that you can peel off as the day heats up and put back on if the weather turns.
- Hiking Snacks:Always bring snacks even if it’s a short 3km hike. My favourite are bananas, apples, pretzels, and roasted chickpeas.
- Heat Protection:The sun in Johannesburg and Magaliesberg takes no prisoners. Always make sure you’ve packed sunscreen, a hat, and a pair of UV-protection sunglasses.
Did I leave out your favourite hiking trails in Johannesburg and around the city? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below!
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